Gay marriage: Senator's shift, GOP soul-searching
By CHARLES BABINGTON and ANN SANNERBy CHARLES BABINGTON and ANN SANNER, Associated Press?
?FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2012 file photo, Ohio Senator Rob Portman waves to the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. Portman said Thursday, March 14, 2013 that he now supports gay marriage and says his reversal on the issue began when he learned one of his sons is gay. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2012 file photo, Ohio Senator Rob Portman waves to the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. Portman said Thursday, March 14, 2013 that he now supports gay marriage and says his reversal on the issue began when he learned one of his sons is gay. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
This photo made Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio, shows U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, wearing the red jersey, riding in Pelotonia with his son Will Portman, right. Portman said his views on gay marriage began changing in 2011 when his son, Will, then a freshman at Yale University, told his parents he was gay and that it wasn't a choice but "part of who he was." Portman said he and his wife, Jane, were very surprised but also supportive. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
In this Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 photo, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, from left, with his wife, Jane, daughter Sally, and son Will, stands after announcing that he will run for the U.S. Senate, in Lebanon, Ohio. Portman is now supporting gay marriage and says his reversal on the issue began when he learned his son Will is gay. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
WASHINGTON (AP) ? A Republican senator's embrace of gay marriage is the latest sign of soul-searching in a party struggling with society's fast-changing views on emotional issues.
Gay marriage still divides the party, with the conservative wing strongly opposed. But an increasing number of Republicans are reversing course.
The latest is Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio.
He says his change took a lot of thought and began after he learned one of his sons is gay.
Portman is one of the GOP's more prominent members. He is a former U.S. trade representative and White House budget director. Mitt Romney considered him as a running mate. He is the first Republican senator to openly back gay marriage.
Some conservatives say they feel betrayed by his shift. But many are responding with a shrug.
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